Eastern Kyoto
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Kiyomizu-dera Temple
From Kiyomizu-dera Temple’s famous veranda, some 1,000 cherry blossom trees can be seen, a majestic view over a sea of clouds. On the temple grounds is Jishu Shrine, dedicated to the local tutelary god known for marriage-making, and the cherry blossom trees there are an unusual variety known as jishu-zakura having branches with both single and double blossoms. When the cherry blossom trees and main temple are lit up at night, a mysterious atmosphere envelops the temple grounds. The view of Kyoto from the veranda at night is also very beautiful.
- Open hours:
- The opening and closing times for Kiyomizu-dera Temple vary throughout the year. When there are special openings at night, the gates close for a short time and open again.
See here for more details:
http://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/en/location/#OpenHours
- Admission:
- High school students and older: 400 yen
Junior high school students and younger: 200 yen
- Address:
- 1-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto > Map
- Phone:
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Kiyomizu-dera Temple: +81-(0)75-551-1234
Jishu Shrine: +81-(0)75-541-2097
- URL:
- Kiyomizu-dera Temple:
http://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/en/
Jishu Shrine:
http://www.jishujinja.or.jp/ - Japanese
- Access:
- 25-minute walk from Kiyomizu-Gojo Station on Keihan Electric Railway.
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Maruyama Park
In the 86,000 square meters of land, there are about 680 cherry blossom trees. Of particular note is the giant Gion weeping cherry blossom tree in the center of the park. Japanese people can often be seen eating a bento lunch and enjoying a beverage under the cherry blossom trees during hanami season.
- Open hours:
- Anytime
Night illumination: Sundown to 1:00 a.m. the middle of March to the middle of April.
- Admission:
- No admission charge.
- Address:
- Maruyama-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto > Map
- Phone:
- City of Kyoto Southern Green Management Office: +81-(0)75-643-5405, weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Access:
- Eight-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station on Keihan Electric Railway.
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Shirakawa River in Gion
Rows of cherry blossom trees line the Shirakawa River, which flows through the center of Kyoto’s geisha district Gion. The teahouses with their lattice doors arranged along the stone-paved street of Gion is often found on postcards with blooming cherry blossom trees in the background, a truly Kyoto-like scene. The area is beautiful at night as well when everything is lit up.
- Open hours:
- Anytime
Night illumination: 6:00 to 10:00 p.m., late March to early April, about 10 days
- Admission:
- No admission charge.
- Address:
- Gion Shirakawa Minami-dori, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, about 220 meters between Kawabata-dori Street and Tatsumi Shrine > Map
- Phone:
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Kyoto Gion Nawate Promotion Association: +81-(0)75-561-0970
Gion Shirakawa Light-up Implementation Committee: +81-(0)90-8520-1484
weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- URL:
- Kyoto Gion Nawate Promotion Association:
http://www.gion-nawate.com/ - Japanese
- Access:
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- • Three-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station on Keihan Electric Railway.
- • Five-minute walk from Sanjo Station on Keihan Electric Railway.
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Heian Jingu Shrine
Heian Jingu Shrine was built in 1895 to commemorate the 1100th anniversary of Japan’s capital being moved to Kyoto. In The Makioka Sisters, the distinguished author Jun’ichiro Tanizaki calls the cherry blossoms in Minami Shin'en (South Garden) a crimson cloud spreading over the evening sky, describing the weeping beni-zakura covering the entire sky like a great canopy that people waited for all year.
- Open hours:
- Heian Jingu Shrine: 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Gardens: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Admission:
- Heian Jingu Shrine: No admission charge.
Gardens:
Adults: 600 yen
Elementary school students: 300 yen
- Address:
- 97 Okazaki Nishi Tenno-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture > Map
- Phone:
- +81-(0)75-761-0221
- Access:
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- • 15-minute walk from Jingu-Marutamachi Station on Keihan Electric Railway.
- • 10-minute walk from Higashiyama Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Line.
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Okazaki Park
Next to Heian Jingu Shrine is Okazaki Park where cherry blossom trees heavy with blossoms overhang the Lake Biwa Canal. Only when the cherry blossoms are in bloom do the jikkoku pleasure boats come out. For an exquisite excursion, take a trip through the corridor of cherry blossoms while the boat sways gently.
- Open hours:
- Jikkoku boat trips: 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (late March to early April)
Boats leave every 15 minutes.
- Admission:
- Okazaki Park: No admission charge.
Jikkoku boat trips:
Junior high school students and older: 1200 yen
Elementary school students: 600 yen
Kids 3 or older: 300 yen
A handling fee of 108 yen per person applies when making reservations online.
- Address:
- Okazaki Saishoji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto > Map
- Phone:
- Jikkoku boat trips (Kyoto Tourist Industry Co-op): +81-(0)75-321-7696
- Access:
- Jikkoku boat landing:
Five-minute walk from Keage Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Line.
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Tetsugaku no Michi – The Philosopher’s Walk
The two-kilometer walkway from Nyakuoji-bashi Bridge near Eikan-do Temple to Ginkaku-ji Temple is known as the Philosopher’s Walk. The name is said to have come from the philosopher Kitaro Nishida who would stroll along the path while absorbed in contemplation. When spring arrives, the trees along the canal form a tunnel of cherry blossoms. With a number of famous temples located along the way, the Philosopher’s Walk is great for a stroll.
- Open hours:
- Anytime
- Admission:
- No admission charge.
- Address:
- Nyakuoji-bashi Bridge to Ginkaku-ji Temple, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto > Map
- Phone:
- Kyoto City Tourism Association: +81-(0)75-752-0225
- Access:
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Jikkoku boat trips (Kyoto Tourist Industry Co-op):
- North end of the Philosopher’s Walk:
• Five-minute walk from the Ginkaku-ji-michi bus stop on Kyoto city bus 5/17/32/100/102/203/204.
• Five-minute walk from the Ginkaku-ji-michi bus stop on Kyoto Bus 18/56. - South end of the Philosopher’s Walk:
• Five-minute walk from the Higashi Tenno-cho bus stop on Kyoto city bus 5/32/93/100/203/204.
- North end of the Philosopher’s Walk:
Southern Kyoto
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Upstream of Uji-bashi Bridge
From Uji-bashi Bridge to Amagase Dam, more than 2,000 cherry blossom trees line both banks of the Uji River as well as the islands in Uji Park. The riverbanks are perfect for a bento lunch and enjoying the cherry blossoms.
- Open hours:
- Anytime
- Admission:
- No admission charge.
- Address:
- 2 Ujito-gawa, Uji, Kyoto Prefecture > Map
- Phone:
- Uji City Tourist Association: +81-(0)774-23-3334
- URL:
- Uji City Tourist Association:
- Access:
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- • Five-minute walk from Uji Station on the Keihan Electric Railway Uji Line.
- • ten-minute walk from Uji Station on the JR Nara Line.
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Daigo-ji Temple
Daigo-ji Temple is so great for cherry blossom viewing, it has been known as “Flowering Daigo” since the Heian era. Beginning with the early higan-zakura, the different varieties of cherry blossom trees one after the other come into bloom, about 1,000 trees all together. At 1:00 on the second Sunday of April, an event known as Hotaiko Hanami Procession is held in remembrance of the magnificent Daigo Cherry Blossom celebration held in 1598 by the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi. People dress up like Hideyoshi and other figures and parade about the temple grounds.
- Open hours:
- 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Note: From the first Sunday in December through February, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Admission ends 30 minutes before closing time.
- Admission:
- Adults: 800 yen
Junior high and high school students: 600 yen
- Address:
- 22 Daigo Higashioji-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto > Map
- Phone:
- +81-(0)75-571-0002
- Access:
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- • From the Hachijo-guchi exit of Kyoto Station, take the Yamashina-bound express Keihan Bus to the Daigo-ji bus stop.
- • 15-minute walk from Daigo Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Line
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Yodogawa Riverside Park and the Sewari-tei Levee
Some 250 Yoshino cherry trees bloom with magnificent beauty for 1.4 kilometers along the levee between the Uji and Kizu Rivers.
- Admission:
- Free
- Phone:
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- Yawata City Tourism Association: +81-(0)75-981-1141
- Yodogawa Riverside Park office: +81-(0)6-6994-0006
- URL:
http://www.kankou-yawata.org/ – Japanese
- Access:
- A 10-minute walk north of Iwashimizu-hachimangu Station on Keihan Electric Railway
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Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine
Enjoy the cherry blossom trees all over Mount Otokoyama, including at Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine. As you ride the Iwashimizu-hachimangu-sando-cable car, gaze at some 200 cherry blossom trees, primarily yama-zakura (Japanese cherry) but also including such varieties as Yoshino and yaezakura cherry blossom trees. The shrine is particularly well known for its weeping Prunus pendula cherry blossom trees in the garden.
- Open hours:
- January 20 to March 31: 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
April 1 to September 30: 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Admission:
- Free
- Address:
- 30 Yawata Takabo, Yawata, Kyoto Prefecture > Map
- Phone:
- Uji City Tourist Association: +81-(0)75-981-3001
- Access:
- Take the Iwashimizu-hachimangu-sando-cable car from Cable-hachimangu-guchi Station to Cable-hachimangu-sanjo Station. It is a five-minute walk south to Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine.
Northern Kyoto
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Haradani-en Garden
Little-known to tourists, Haradani-en Garden is privately owned by someone in the forestry industry. The best part of the 13,000-square-meter garden is when the meticulously manicured weeping cherry blossom trees have begun to lose their petals. The garden has been carefully designed, and each and every spot is a great place for a snapshot. Make reservations in advance and you can order a bento lunch or sukiyaki.
- Open hours:
- 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Admission ends 30 minutes before closing time.
- Admission:
- The entrance fee for each day will be decided in the morning, depending on the flowers.
Weekdays: Max. 1200 yen
Weekends: Max. 1500 yen
- Address:
- 36 Okita-yama Haradani Inui-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto > Map
- Phone:
- +81-(0)75-461-2924
- URL:
http://www.haradanien.com/ – Japanese
- Access:
- Take Kyoto city bus M1 to the Haradani bus stop.
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Hirano Shrine
Hirano Shrine has 400 cherry blossom trees on the grounds in some 50 varieties. When the trees are in full bloom, you cannot see the sky, the blossoms are so full. In the evening, the grounds are lit up with lanterns, whose gentle light makes the night cherry blossoms a special treat.
- Open hours:
- 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Admission:
- No admission charge.
- Address:
- 1 Hirano Miyamoto-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto > Map
- Phone:
- +81-(0)75-461-4450
- Access:
- Take Kyoto city bus 50/204/205 to the Ginkaku-ji-michi bus stop.
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Ninna-ji Temple
Ninna-ji Temple is known for its late-blooming omuro-zakura, a dwarf cherry blossom tree only slightly taller than a person, and has been the subject of many waka poems for ages. There are about 200 cherry blossom trees on the premises.
- Open hours:
- March to November: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
December to February: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Admission ends 30 minutes before closing time.
- Admission:
- Admission for cherry blossom viewing (during the season only):
Adults: 500 yen
Elementary and junior high school students: 200 yen
Separate temple admission:
Adults: 500 yen
Elementary and junior high school students: 300 yen
- Address:
- 33 Omuro Ouchi, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto > Map
- Phone:
- +81-(0)75-461-1155
- Access:
- Take the Keifuku Electric Railroad (Arashiyama Electric Tram Railway) Kitano Line to Omuro Ninnaji Station.
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Yamashina Canal
Over the four-kilometer run from Shinomiya to Hinooka, both banks of the canal have been made into a park known as the Higashiyama Natural Green Space (Shizen Ryokuchi) that is a well-liked park in every season of the year. Some 660 yama-zakura (Japanese cherry) trees are planted along the way that draw viewers who gaze at their beauty as they stroll down the path during the flowering season.
- Admission:
- Free
- Address:
- Shinomiya Shinkai-Bata, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto; other locations > Map
- Phone:
- Nambu Midori Kanri Jimusho (South Green Management Office), Kyoto Municipal Construction Bureau: +81-(0)75-643-5405
- Access:
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- • A 10-minute walk north from Keihan Yamashina or Shinomiya Station on Keihan Electric Railway
- • A 10-minute walk from Misasagi or Yamashina Station on the subway
Western Kyoto
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Arashiyama and Sagano
Arashiyama is a district in the western part of Kyoto consisting of three areas: Kameyama, Nakanoshima and Rinsen-ji. It is famous throughout Japan for its cherry blossom trees. When the trees are in full bloom, Mount Arashiyama presents beauty in its contrast of greenery and cherry blossom pink. Enjoy Yoshino and yama-zakura (Japanese cherry) cherry blossom trees in Arashiyama Higashi Park, which extends from Nakanoshima to the riverside area next to Matsuo Bridge.Taking a boat to enjoy the cherry blossoms from the river is recommended for an elegant trip.
- Open hours:
- Anytime
- Admission:
- No admission charge.
- Address:
- Saga, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto > Map
- Phone:
- +81-(0)75-461-2924
- URL:
- Arashiyama Hoshokai:
http://www.arashiyamahoshokai.com/ – Japanese
- Access:
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- • Three-minute walk from Arashiyama Station on Keifuku Electric Railroad (Arashiyama Electric Tram Railway)
- • Five-minute walk from Arashiyama Station on the Hankyu Railway Arashiyama Line.
- • 12-minute walk from Saga-Arashiyama Station on the JR Sagano Line.
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Cherry Blossom Tunnel – between Narutaki and Utano Stations
Between Narutaki and Utano Stations on Arashiyama Electric Tram Railway are two rows of trees running along the sides of the tracks, creating a magnificent tunnel some 200 meters long. In the evening, the lights in the train are extinguished and the speed decreased so passengers can take their time to enjoy the illuminated cherry blossom trees.
- Open hours:
- Night-time illumination will take place from the end of March to the beginning of April, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m..
- Admission:
- Arashiyama Electric Tram Railway (Keifuku Electric Railroad) cherry blossom train fare (all lines):
Adults: 210 yen
Elementary and junior high school students: 110 yen
- Address:
- Saga, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto > Map
- Phone:
- (Keifuku Electric Railroad: +81-(0)75-801-2512
- URL:
- Keifuku Electric Railroad:
- Access:
- Between Narutaki and Utano Stations on the Keifuku Electric Railroad (Arashiyama Electric Tram Railway) Kitano Line.
Central Kyoto
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Nijo Castle
On the south side of the castle grounds, some 400 cherry blossom trees of 50 different varieties come into bloom all over the Cherry Tree Groove, including sato-zakura, yama-zakura (Japanese cherry) and weeping Prunus pendula cherry blossom trees. Some rare varieties that can also be seen are the fuken-zo (Cerasus lannesiana Carrière) with its unusual green pistil, and the fukuroku-ju (Prunus lannesiana Contorta) with its large flowers and wavy petals.
- Open hours:
- 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. (castle closure at 5 p.m.)
Ninomaru Palace hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Admission:
- Adults: 600 yen,
Junior high and high school students: 350 yen,
Elementary school students: 200 yen
- Address:
- 541 Nijo-dori Horikawa Nishiiru Nijojo-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto > Map
- Phone:
- +81-(0)75-841-0096
- Access:
- A five-minute walk north of Nijojo-mae Station on the subway
Osaka
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Kema Sakuranomiya Park
Kema Sakuranomiya Park is located in the four kilometers between Tenma-bashi Bridge and the Kema Lock upstream on the Okawa-Bridge. With some 4,800 cherry blossom trees that seem to go on seemingly without end, this is an excellent place for viewing cherry blossoms in a style only to be had in Osaka, the “Capital on the Water.” Pleasure boats often called “water buses” leave frequently from Hachikenya Port at Tenma-bashi Bridge, providing a water-bound way to enjoy the cherry blossoms.
- Open hours:
- Anytime
- Admission:
- There is no admission charge.
- Address:
- Amijima-cho to Kema-cho in Miyakojima-ku, Osaka 1-chome Tenma to Nagara Higashi in Kita-ku, Osaka > Map
- Phone:
- Park administration office for north Osaka: +81-(0)6-6312-8121
- URL:
- Park administration office for north Osaka:
http://www.osakapark.osgf.or.jp/kema_sakuranomiya/ – Japanese
- Access:
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- • Five-minute walk from Temmabashi Station on Keihan Electric Railway or on the Osaka Municipal Subway Tanimachi Line.
- • Five-minute walk from Sakuranomiya Station on the JR Osaka Loop Line.
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Zoheikyoku Torinuke – Japan Mint of Osaka
The yaezakura, as the varieties of cherry blossoms with more than five petals are called, are so beautiful on the grounds of the Osaka Mint that they have been opened for cherry blossom viewing for one week a year since 1883. The event has become a yearly ritual, with some six to seven hundred thousand people visiting each year. Along the 560-meter route are 350 yaezakura trees of about 120 different varieties. At night, the area is lit up and becomes lively with the crowds of people coming after work. The hanami route begins at the south gate near Tenma-bashi Bridge, and exits from the north gate near Sakuranomiya-bashi Bridge.
- Open hours:
- Early April
Weekdays: 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Weekends: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Admission:
- No admission charge
- Address:
- 1-1-79 Tenma-bashi, Kita-ku, Osaka The hanami route begins at the south gate near Tenma-bashi Bridge, and exits from the north gate near Sakuranomiya-bashi Bridge. > Map
- Phone:
- Japan Mint of Osaka: +81-(0)6-6351-5105
- URL:
- Japan Mint of Osaka:
- Access:
-
- • 15-minute walk from Temmabashi Station on Keihan Electric Railway or on the Osaka Municipal Subway Tanimachi Line.
- • 15-minute walk from Osakajo-kitazume Station on the JR Tozai Line.
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Osaka Castle Park
With roughly 4,300 cherry blossom trees in an expanse of more than one million square meters, Osaka Castle Park is a popular place for people to bring their bento lunches for a hanami picnic. The hours are extended in Nishi-no-Maru Garden so people can enjoy the illuminated cherry blossoms at night. The keep of Osaka Castle peeping through the cherry blossom trees is one of the most famous views associated with Osaka.
- Open hours:
- Osaka Castle Park: Anytime
Osaka Castle : 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Admission ends 30 minutes before closing time.
Nishi-no-Maru Garden: 9:00 a.m. to 17:00 p.m. (From March to October)
- Admission:
- • Osaka Castle Park: no admission charge.
• Osaka Castle:
Adults: 600 yen
Junior high school students and younger: no charge
• Nishi-no-Maru Garden:
Adults: 200 yen
Junior high school students and younger: no charge
- Address:
- Osaka-jo, Chuo-ku, Osaka > Map
- Phone:
-
Parks administration office of east Osaka: (06) 6941-1144
Nishi-no-Maru Garden: +81-(0)6-6941-1717
- Access:
-
- • 20-minute walk from Temmabashi or Kyobashi Station on Keihan Electric Railway.
- • 15-minute walk from Osaka Business Park Station on the Osaka Municipal Subway Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line.
- • 20-minute walk from Tanimachi Yonchome Station on the Osaka Municipal Subway Tanimachi Line or Morinomiya Station from the Chuo or Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line.
- • 20-minute walk from Osakajo-koen or Morinomiya Station on the JR Osaka Loop Line.
- • 20-minute walk from Osakajo-kitazume Station on the JR Tozai Line
Shiga
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Mii-dera Temple
Mii-dera Temple is located on the slopes of Mount Nagara to the southwest of Lake Biwa and has 1,300 cherry blossom trees on the grounds. Enjoy cherry blossom viewing along with the view of Lake Biwa.
- Open hours:
- 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Night illumination:
April 1 to April 12: 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Admission ends 30 minutes before closing time.
- Admission:
- Adults: 600 yen
Junior high and high school students: 300 yen
Elementary school students: 200 yen
- Address:
- 246 Onjoji-cho, Otsu, Shiga Prefecture > Map
- Phone:
- +81-(0)77-522-2238
- Access:
- 10-minute walk from Miidera Station on the Keihan Electric Railway Ishiyama Sakamoto Line, or 12-minute walk from Otsu-shiyakusho-mae Station.
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Ishiyama-dera Temple
Ishiyama-dera Temple is famous as the location where Murasaki Shikibu conceived of her full-length novel The Tale of Genji, the world’s oldest novel. The temple grounds have 600 cherry blossom trees, with a spectacular weeping beni-zakura tree in front of the museum, Hojoden.
- Open hours:
- 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Admission:
- Adults: 600 yen
Elementary school students: 250 yen
- Address:
- 1-1-1 Ishiyama-dera, Otsu, Shiga Prefecture > Map
- Phone:
- +81-(0)77-537-0013
- Access:
- 10-minute walk from Ishiyamadera Station on the Keihan Electric Railway Ishiyama Sakamoto Line.
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Mount Hiei
Including Enryaku-ji Temple, Hieizan Drive Way on Mount Hiei and Okuhiei Drive Way have more than 1,000 cherry blossom trees planted along their routes. The trees bloom a bit later than in the city, around mid-April to the early May.
- Open hours:
- East Pagoda area: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
West Pagoda and Yokokawa areas: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Admission:
- East Pagoda area:
Adults: 700 yen
Junior high and high school students: 500 yen
Elementary school students: 300 yen
West Pagoda and Yokokawa areas:
Adults: 500 yen
Junior high and high school students: 300 yen
Elementary school students: 100 yen
- Address:
- 4220 Sakamoto Honmachi, Otsu, Shiga Prefecture > Map
- Phone:
- +81-(0)77-578-0521
- Access:
-
- • Take Keihan Electric Railway from Sanjo Keihan or Demachiyanagi Station and transfer to the Hieizan Drive Bus. Get off at the Enryaku-ji Bus Center.
- • Take Keihan Electric Railway Ishiyama Sakamoto Line from Sakamoto-hieizanguchi station and transfer to the Sakamoto Cable. Get off at Cable Enryakuji Station.
- • Take Eizan Electric Railway from Yase-Hieizanguchi Station and transfer to the Eizan Cable/Ropeway. Get off at Hiei-Sancho Station.
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Sakamoto
Among the beautiful sights to see are the Yoshino cherry trees along the approach to Hiyoshi Taisha and at Shiga-in Temple, the weeping Prunus pendula cherry blossom trees at Ekoin Temple, and the weeping cherry blossom trees at Yakuju-in Temple known as “Taiko-zakura.” Another wonderful place to enjoy cherry blossom trees is Saikyo-ji Temple, whose extensive compound of 99,000 square meters includes about 200 trees, many of which are Yoshino cherry. Note: The cherry blossom trees of Ekoin and Yakuju-in Temples must be appreciated from the roadside outside of the temple grounds.
- Admission:
- Free
- Phone:
- Sakamoto Tourism Agency: +81-(0)77-578-6565
- Access:
- Get off at Sakamoto-hieizanguchi station on Keihan Electric Railway Ishiyama Sakamoto Line